REPORT OF PREPCOM III

PrepCom Chair Fred Sai (Ghana) opened the third session on 4 April
1994. He pointed out the impact that ICPD has already had on the
world and the need for further harmonization of different
viewpoints in order to come up with an action programme. He also
welcomed the NGOs, whose accreditation was facilitated by early
submission of their applications, and suggested that, where early
applications have not been submitted, NGOs may seek information
from the ICPD Secretariat. During the course of the session, the
total number of NGOs accredited to the process reached 934.

In her opening statement, Dr. Nafis Sadik, Secretary-General of the
Conference, pointed to the unprecedented number of countries
interested in the interrelated issues of population and
environmental sustainability. She emphasized the urgency to move
from generalities to specifics in order to translate the
recommendations into action. She also stressed the need to reach a
balance between the rights and obligations of individuals and those
of nations. She said that although 124 countries have already
submitted their national reports, the remaining reports are needed
to complete the final analysis document. She stated that most
nations agree on the linkages between population, environmental
sustainability and development, as well as on the centrality of
individuals, especially women, to the planning and implementation
of population policies. She invited delegates to focus on
action-oriented proposals that are clear, while allowing for the
diversity of national priorities, culture, and religion. She also
called for an appropriate title for the final document.

The PrepCom then spent two and a half days in a general debate on
Agenda Items 4, 5 and 6 -- preparations for the Conference; review
and appraisal of progress made towards the implementation of the
World Population Plan of Action; and national reports of countries
on their population situation, policies and programmes. During the
course of the debate, 64 representatives of governments and
regional groups, 32 NGOs and 7 UN Agencies and intergovernmental
organizations delivered statements.